STO reopens supermarket, wholesale center for walk-in customers

State Trading Organization (STO), on Sunday, announced it has reopened its supermarket – the STO Supermart – and its wholesale center for walk-in customers.

Customers with shopping permits can now visit the supermarket and the wholesale center.

STO Supermart will be open from 9 am to 3 pm and from 4 pm to 9 pm, while the wholesale center will be open from 9 am to 5 pm.

However, both the supermarket and the wholesale center will be closed on Fridays.

STO had closed its supermarket and wholesale center for walk-in customers following the emergence of cases of the new coronavirus in the populous Maldivian capital Male’ City.

Following the closure of the suprermarket and wholesale center for customers, STO switched its services to a virtual platforming, encouraging its customers to order products through its e-store and providing delivery services.

Male’ City is the epicenter of the coronavirus outbreak in Maldives, contributing to over 90 percent of total cases.

While the government has begun easing restrictions in the capital in an effort to promote economic activity, health authorities have warned the public that the threat of the pandemic remained prevalent, and have advised that they use face masks and maintain social distancing when venturing out.

STO has also urged its customers to be mindful of maintaining sufficient physical distance and follow other preventive measures when shopping.

Maldives has confirmed 1,672 coronavirus cases. 401 patients have since recovered, while five have died from complications.